AIRCRAFT PAINTING

AND FINISHING
6-1 C01
If registration numbers are to be applied to an aircraft with
a letter height of 12 inches, what is the minimum space
required for the registration mark N1683C? Note:
2/3 x height = character width.
1/6 x height = width for 1. 6-1. Answer B. JSAT 6-26
1/4 x 2/3 height = spacing. For 12-inch characters the width will be 2/3 of 12, which
1/6 x height = stroke or line width. equals 8 inches. The 1 will be 2 inches wide, and the spac-
ing will be 1/4 of 8 inches, or 2 inches. This will give us 8
A. 48 inches. +2 +2 +2 +8 +2 +8 +2 +8 +2 +8 or 52 inches.
B. 52 inches.
C. 57 inches.

6-2 C01 6-2. Answer A. JSAT 6-26

If masking tape is applied to an aircraft such as for trim Masking tape should not be allowed to remain on any
spraying, and is left on for several days and/or exposed to longer than necessary. If it is difficult to remove, try to
heat, it is likely that the tape will soak the tape free with aliphatic naptha.
A. cure to the finish and be very difficult to remove.
B. not seal out the finishing material if the delay or
heating occurs before spraying.
C. be weakened in its ability to adhere to the surface.

6-3 C02 6-3. Answer B. JSAT 6-14

What is used to slow the drying time of some finishes and Retarder is a special type of thinner having rich solvents.
to prevent blush? These dry very slowly and prevent the temperature drop at
the surface which causes blush.
A. Reducer.
B. Retarder.
C. Rejuvenator.

6-4 C02 6-4. Answer A. JSAT 6-8

Which type of coating typically includes phosphoric acid As one component of their system, wash primers use phos-
as one of its components at the time of application? phoric acid to create a phosphate film on the surface of the
aluminum.
A. Wash primer.
B. Epoxy primer.
C. Zinc chromate primer.

6-5 C02 6-5. Answer B. JSAT 6-9

Which properly applied finish topcoat is the most durable Polyurethane is a two-part chemically cured finish that has
and chemical resistant? a solids content of up to 60%. The high gloss that is char-
acteristic of these finishes is due to the slow-flowing resins
A. Synthetic enamel.
used.
B. Polyurethane.
C. Acrylic lacquer.
6-2 Aircraft Painting and Finishing

6-6 C02 6-6. Answer A. JSAT 5-23

Aluminum-pigment in dope is used primarily to Aluminum pigment is mixed with clear dope and applied
to fabric surfaces to help combat the deterioration caused
A. exclude sunlight from the fabric. by sunlight.
B. aid in sealing out moisture from the fabric.
C. provide a silver color.

6-7 C02 6-7. Answer C. JSAT 6-14 (AC65-15A)

A correct use for acetone is to Acetone is a fast-evaporating dope solvent that is suitable
for removing grease from fabric prior to doping.
A. thin zinc chromate primer.
B. thin dope.
C. remove grease from fabric.

6-8 C03 6-8. Answer B. JSAT 5-22

Which of the following is a hazard associated with sanding When dry sanding a fabric covered aircraft, be sure to elec-
on fabric covered surfaces during the finishing process? trically ground the structure. Static electricity from sanding
can cause a spark to jump inside the structure and ignite
A. Overheating of the fabric/finish, especially with the volatile fumes.
use of power tools.
B. Static electricity buildup.
C. Embedding of particles in the finish.

6-9 C03 6-9. Answer B. JSAT 6-9

What is likely to occur if unhydrated wash primer is One of the most critical aspects of the application of wash
applied to unpainted aluminum and then about 30 to 40 primer is the necessity of having sufficient moisture in the
minutes later a finish topcoat, when the humidity is low? air. This moisture is required to properly convert the acid
into a phosphate film. This process should take about
A. A dull finish due to the topcoat "sinking in" to 30-minutes.
primer that is still too soft.
B. Corrosion.
C. A glossy, blush-free finish.

6-10 C03 6-10. Answer B. JSAT 5-10 (AC65-15A)

Fungicidal dopes are used in aircraft finishing as the Fungicidal dope normally is used as the first coat for fab-
rics to prevent rotting. The first coat is applied extremely
A. final, full-bodied, brushed-on coat to reduce blush- thin so it can thoroughly saturate both sides of the fabric.
ing.
B. first coat to prevent fabric rotting and are applied
thin enough to saturate the fabric.
C. first, full-bodied, brushed-on coat to prevent fungus
damage.

6-11 C03 6-11. Answer B. JSAT 6-7

Before spraying any finishing materials on unpainted clean Moisture, skin oils and other contaminants may be left on a
aluminum, surface when you touch it. To prevent problems with the
finishing system you should avoid touching surfaces after
A. wipe the surface with avgas or kerosene. the final cleaning or wipe-down with M.E.K.
B. avoid touching the surface with bare hands.
C. remove any conversion coating film.

6-12 C03 6-12. Answer A. JSAT 6-9

What is likely to occur if hydrated wash primer is applied This is the proper method of wash primer usage. One of the
to unpainted aluminum and then about 30 to 40 minutes most critical aspects of the application of wash primer is the
later a finish topcoat, when the humidity is low? necessity of having sufficient moisture in the air. This
moisture is required to properly convert the acid into a
A. A glossy, blush-free finish. phosphate film. This process should take about 30-min-utes.
B. A dull finish due to the topcoat "sinking in" to primer
that is still too soft.
C. Corrosion.
Aircraft Painting and Finishing 6-3

6-13 C04 6-13. Answer B. JSAT 6-4 (AC65-15A)

What is the usual cause of runs and sags in aircraft finish- Sags and runs result from too much paint being applied,
es? causing the film of wet paint to move by gravity, and pre-
senting a sagging appearance.
A. Low atmospheric humidity.
B. Too much material applied in one coat.
C. Material is heing applied too fast.

C04 6-14 6-14. Answer C. JSAT 6-3

Blushing occurs because of the effects of high humidity
Which defect in aircraft finishes may be caused by adverse and the temperature drop during the evaporation of the
humidity, drafts, or sudden changes in temperature? solvents in the dope. Anything which affects either the
humidity or the speed of solvent evaporation could cause
A. Orange peel. blushing.
B. Pinholes.
C. Blushing.

6-15 C04 6-15. Answer C. JSAT 6-8 (AC65-15A)

Which statement is true regarding paint system Old wash primer coats may be overcoated directly with
compatibility? epoxy finishes. A new second coat of wash primer must be
applied if an acrylic finish is to be applied.
A. Acrylic nitrocellulose lacquers may be used over old
nitrocellulose finishes.
B. Old type zinc chromate primer may not be used
directly for touchup of bare metal surfaces.
C. Old wash primer coats may be overcoated directly
with epoxy finishes.